Lacquer box containing henna leaves, Iran, 1870-1920
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This ornately decorated box contains dried henna leaves. Henna leaves were mixed with boiling water to form a paste, which was used to treat skin conditions. The lacquer box and its contents were collected and brought back to the United Kingdom by one of Henry Wellcome’s agents from Persia – modern day Iran. His agents spent many years travelling the world and collecting field samples from different medical cultures.
Object number:
A24246
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: henna leaves
No description.
Glossary: pharmacy
The preparation and medicinal dispensing of drugs.
Glossary: lacquer
A varnish that dries by the process of evaporation to provide a hard, protective finish.
Glossary: box - container
No description.